2.24.28 6.8.2025 Matthew 11.25-30 The Yoke is on You

Start:

Entice: By the middle Matthew 11, not everyone is thrilled with Jesus. Some are actually disappointed. Differing expectations for the Messiah, conflicting allegiances between Roman rulers and their petty Kings, exploitation by the rich and advantaged over everybody else. It was Empire as usual, everyone wanted change, they just couldn’t agree on how. They wanted and expected God to do something. Jesus was that thing and they didn’t understand what it would take to bring liberation and wholeness in their time and place. We still have the same problem now.  

Engage: I know I often ask questions like this, but I think it’s good to take time to reflect on our own faith journey. When you first heard about Jesus and responded, 

What did you expect?

What did you want?

What did you need?

Those are not always the same thing. Just like Jesus’ first audience we tend to breed our own disappointment. That is why we have to give careful, close attention to His message. He understands that some—maybe most, will be disappointed. He suggests that we adjust or expectations and wants to focus on our most essential need.

Matthew 11:25–30 ESV

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Expand: A “meaningful” life is found in becoming what God intends. God communicates His will and intention finally and completely in Jesus. That message  is more than lists of do’s and don’ts, it is more than religious obligation, it is more than knowing the right formula. We are invited into the relationship between the Father and the Son. 

Excite: When what we need alters our expectations and our wants we will discover that discipleship is the greatest human destiny. Salvation will not be understood as a long wait for “the good stuff”, and we will find meaning and significance in a purposeful partnership with God. 

Explore:

We are called to salvation and service. 

Expand: Jesus describes this call to discipleship, explaining that it takes three forms. 

Body of Sermon: The first form is 

1 Revelation.

For Jesus the most important attributes of revelation are that it is 

1.1 Intentional.

Jesus revealed Himself and the Father’s will in a targeted fashion to those who were receptive. 

And a guiding factor to this process is that it is 

1.2 Relational.

Our relationship to God is triangular. A relationship to the Father that mirrors the relationship between the Father and son. 

1.3 Informative

The “handing over of these things” is the message and mission of Jesus. It was first articulated to His disciples and continues as the foundation for Christian doctrine and practice. 

The next form the call takes is the actual 

2 Invitation. 

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus articulates this invitation with three simple verbs

2.1 Come.

2.2 Take.

2.3 Learn.

In accepting this invitation, in coming to Him and taking His yoke, and learning both His words and temperament we will become what the Father intends. 

The  final form of the call is 

3 Satisfaction.

3.1 Rest.

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 ESV

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Real rest is not sought or bought it is the result of coming to Jesus and learning what it means to be truly human.

3.2 Responsibility.

Matthew 11:30 ESV

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

By the time of Jesus the metaphor of the yoke was in many ways positive. To be yoked with someone was to be in a partnership. To accept a yoke from a teacher or Rabbi meant accepting their instruction and discipline. So the yoke of Jesus indicates submission to Him in ministry. It is another image of discipleship. The Yoke itself is not a matter of shame for a disciple but the source of 

Joy.

Honor.

Privilege.

Shut Down

Jesus never claims the Christian life will be easy. Rather He claims that it is worthwhile, purposeful, and fulfilling. In following Jesus and being yoked to Him we are  able to become the person God intentionally created us to be.

You don’t have to. Do it God’s way. You can choose. Bob Dylan sang it this way

“It might be the devil…

Or it might be the Lord…

But your’e going to have to serve somebody.”

You can choose other yokes to wear, other paths to pursue, other destiny’s to embrace. Jesus wants us to know that our choice of yoke will largely determine the outcomes.

If discipleship does not define us then we are living an illusion. I don’t want you to be disappointed. Jesus does not want you to be disappointed.  You don’t want to be disappointed. He is calling us, inviting us, including us. Jesus offers not mere rest but restoration.